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The College of Medicine is the largest component of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and is at the center of OU Medicine. Our mission is leading health care - in education, research and patient care.

What Is a Transient Ischemic Attack?

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke or warning stroke, causes symptoms similar to those of a stroke. The difference is that TIAs don’t cause permanent brain damage, and they often last less than one hour. But they can last up to 24 hours. About one-third of people will suffer a stroke in the year after a TIA.

TIAs happen when a blood clot or artery spasm suddenly blocks or closes off an artery briefly. This stops blood from reaching a part of the brain for a short period of time. Different parts of the brain do different things. So TIA symptoms depend on what part of the brain is affected. For example, a person can have weakness in his or her arm without the real problem being in the arm. The problem can be a lack of blood flow to the part of the brain that is responsible for arm strength.

Here are symptoms to watch for:

Sudden numbness in your face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusion

Sudden trouble seeing, talking, or understanding

Sudden trouble with balance or walking

Sudden dizziness or loss of coordination

Sudden severe headache you can’t explain

Loss of consciousness or seizure

If you think you are having a TIA, get medical help right away. Recognizing symptoms of a TIA and getting treatment right away will reduce the risk of a major stroke.